When play was suspended, Sinner led 6-2, 5-7, 4-2 with Medvedev serving at advantage. However, the Italian looked under tremendous pressure in the deciding set, often leaning on his racquet, and also had treatment on his thigh during a medical timeout.  

Sinner started strongly, racing into a 4-0 lead in the first set. But Medvedev took back control in the second set, leading by 3-0 and ultimately taking the set.

Earlier in the day, Casper Ruud cruised to an easy 6-1, 6-1 victory over world number 20 Luciano Darderi. Ruud, who is currently world number 25, but a former number 2, delivered a clinical performance, never allowing the visibly exhausted Italian to get a foot in the door.

After the match, Ruud said he felt sorry for the Italian and a demanding tournament run had finally taken its toll. 

“It feels great. A bit sorry for Luciano today. Playing at home and probably not with most of the energy. It’s understandable. He finished at 02:30 the other night. What a match he had and what a tournament he’s had,”he said.

“Luckily for me, I was done much earlier than he that day. I had more time to recover and get ready. It’s my 10th semifinal in 1000s, and it’s his first. So you try to use that experience to your advantage, and I think I did that well today.”

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg